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Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
How small businesses can actually benefit from agentic AI, with Tkxel CEO Umair Javed at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
TechCrunch Sessions: AI takes over UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall in just one week — join us June 5 for a full day of networking, learning sessions, satellite events, and more. And we're adding another excellent speaker to our already packed lineup: Tkxel founder and CEO Umair Javed, who will be exploring the potency and potential for agentic AI to help small businesses. Getting a seat at the forefront of the AI industry has never been easier. For a limited time, save up to $300 on your pass — and get 50% off a second guest ticket. Register now before these special deals disappear when the doors open on June 5. In his breakout session, Javed will dive into the real opportunity behind agentic AI. Yes, there's plenty of hype — but for good reason. As he'll explain, agentic AI enables more proactive decision-making and faster, more efficient responses to customer concerns, business opportunities, and operational challenges. For small businesses with limited resources, agentic AI offers significant benefits. In his session, Javed will outline how it's already being scoped, validated, and implemented — giving you a blueprint to deploy it within your own business or those you support or fund. Tkxel helps small businesses, startups, and enterprise organizations harness AI to scale. They've already partnered with high-profile clients like Barclays, Honeywell, NBC Universal, and — all with a hands-on approach championed by Javed, who brings that same focus to building teams and culture within Tkxel itself. That's exactly the mindset we're bringing to TC Sessions: AI. While the field is full of bold predictions, we're focused on practical solutions and real use cases — the kind that can drive immediate business impact or inspire your next big idea. With tickets currently up to $300 off, there's no better time to block your calendar, grab a ticket (or two!), and head to Berkeley for one of the year's most exciting AI events. Lock in your low ticket rates before they spike at the door on June 5. This article originally appeared on TechCrunch at Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
TechCrunch
08-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Bill Gates tells his foundation to spend it all by 2045
The Gates Foundation received a death sentence of sorts today. Microsoft co-founder turned billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates said today that his foundation will have just 20 years to exhaust its coffers and wind down operations. He has pledged to donate 99% of his fortune, which today is worth an estimated $107 billion, to the foundation. Over the next 20 years of donations, he expects the foundation to spend more than $200 billion. 'This decision comes at a moment of reflection for me,' Gates wrote on his website, Gates Notes. 'In addition to celebrating the foundation's 25th anniversary, this year also marks several other milestones: It would have been the year my dad, who helped me start the foundation, turned 100; Microsoft is turning 50; and I turn 70 in October.' The total of Gates's donation is expected to be the second-largest philanthropic gift in U.S. history, adjusted for inflation. Warren Buffett, whose net wealth is estimated at $160 billion, is anticipated to be the largest. Previously, the Gates Foundation was directed to close 20 years after Gates's death. The 69-year-old Microsoft founder appears to be in good health, so this marks a significant shift in the foundation's timeline. The 25-year-old Gates Foundation has already spent more than $100 billion on a range of causes centered mostly around health, education, global development, and gender equality. Many of the Gates Foundation's beneficiaries have been people in low-income countries with endemic and frequently deadly diseases like malaria. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | BOOK NOW The news arrives as the Trump administration has moved to slash foreign aid. USAID, one of the agencies hit by Trump's cuts, managed more than $35 billion of congressional appropriations annually. The Gates Foundation said it expects to spend around $9 billion per year through 2045.
TechCrunch
05-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Layoffs hit General Fusion as the fusion power startup runs short on cash
General Fusion laid off at least 25% of its employees last week, just days after hitting a key milestone for its latest fusion demonstration device. CEO Greg Twiney posted an open letter on the company's website Monday saying that while its new LM26 device had been able to compress a plasma — something necessary for fusion conditions — General Fusion was running short of money. He wrote, 'today's funding landscape is more challenging than ever as investors and governments navigate a rapidly shifting and uncertain political and market climate.' The 23-year-old company, which many still describe as a startup, is Canada's leading entrant in the race for commercial fusion power. It has raised $440 million, according to PitchBook, including a $22.66 million round that closed in July. Backers include Jeff Bezos, Temasek, and BDC Capital. But that money hasn't been enough for the company to show that its unique approach to fusion is viable. General Fusion's plight highlights the challenges that face the fusion industry. To date, only one device has been able to hit so-called scientific breakeven, a milestone that's significant historically, but not commercially. To hit commercial breakeven, reactors need to produce dozens of times more energy than has been demonstrated so far. The road to those milestones has proven extraordinarily costly. Though General Fusion's tally may seem impressive, it is middle of the pack. Commonwealth Fusion Systems has raised over $2 billion, Helion has pulled in over $1 billion, and upstart Pacific Fusion has been pledged $900 million in its Series A alone. Part of General Fusion's challenge is that its taking a different approach than many of its competitors. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | BOOK NOW Most fusion startups follow one of two paths: magnetic confinement or inertial confinement. The former uses magnetic fields to control plasma, squeezing it until it reaches the conditions for nuclei to fuse. The latter approach typically uses lasers to compress a fuel pellet. General Fusion, on the other hand, has been trying to use steam-driven pistons to compress fusion fuel. The U.S. Navy tried something similar in the 1970s to no avail, but General Fusion thinks that modern computers could solve some of the timing problems that plagued earlier attempts. It has yet to show that's the case, but it has said that if completed, LM26 should be able to reach scientific breakeven. Now, the company will have to raise more money — and quickly — if it wants to prove its approach is a viable competitor.
TechCrunch
05-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
11x CEO Hasan Sukkar steps down
Hasan Sukkar, the founder of AI startup 11x, is stepping down from his role as CEO, Sukkar announced on LinkedIn this morning. Prabhav Jain, 11x's CTO, has been named the company's new CEO. Sukkar will move into a 'non-executive chairman' position, where he will work with Jain on 'strategic direction, product vision, industry relationships, and opening new market opportunities,' Sukkar wrote on LinkedIn, helping 11x in any way he can 'into the future.' 'I've spent a lot of time thinking about what it takes to go from a fast growing startup to an enduring enterprise grade scale-up, and I have realised that I love building from the ground up. It's in my bones,' Sukkar wrote on LinkedIn. 'I love 11x and believe in our mission deeply. We have a massive opportunity ahead. But sometimes, loving your company means knowing when to pass the CEO baton for the next leg of the race.' As TechCrunch previously reported in March, 11x at that time had been showing off customer logos on its website of companies that were not active customers, and one of those companies was threatening to sue over the matter. Other sources also told TechCrunch that the 11x product had issues and the company had struggled with customer retention. Some employees also described the startup as a grueling place to work. 11x has raised more than $70 million from investors, including a $24 million Series A led by Sarah Travel, a general partner at Benchmark, and a $50 million Series B led by Andreessen Horowitz. Joe Schmidt, the a16z partner part of the 11x deal, publicly doubled down on his support for the company and its CEO, posting on X in Mach that the firm loved 'Hasan and the entire team at 11x,' and that the 'team, product, and metrics are world class.' Tavel also posted on X saying, 'As a board member, I've seen the progress up close, and our conviction in the team and the opportunity is stronger than ever.' Last week, Tavel also announced she would be taking on the position of venture partner at Benchmark, a more limited role at the storied firm. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | BOOK NOW A spokesperson for 11x sent a lengthy email explaining that the change was intended to put the right person in the CEO role for a new growth phase of the company. 'Current CTO, fmr. Brex exec and 3-time founder Prabhav Jain is stepping into the CEO role, with Hasan Sukkar transitioning into a new role as Non-Executive Chairman,' the 11x spokesperson wrote. 'The move reflects 11x's growth: Over the last year, the company has evolved from a single product, single use-case company to a platform that powers hundreds of the world's leading GTM teams.' Benchmark and a16z did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.
TechCrunch
05-05-2025
- Business
- TechCrunch
Apple appeals court decision that forced it to allow links to external payments in apps
As promised, Apple has now filed its appeal to the recent court ruling that required it to open up its App Store to external payment mechanisms. Last week, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers took the tech giant to task for defying the court's orders in its battle with Fortnite maker Epic Games by not freely allowing apps to link to alternative payment options outside its U.S. App Store. The decision upends Apple's profitable App Store business in the U.S., which relies on taking commissions on in-app purchases for virtual items, subscriptions, premium upgrades and more. In her ruling, Rogers reminded Apple that 'this is an injunction, not a negotiation,' while calling out Apple for attempting to route around the court's order with its excessive requirements and rules. In addition, the court accused Apple VP of Finance Alex Roman of lying under oath and referred the matter to a U.S. Attorney's office to determine if criminal contempt proceedings were now needed. Following the judge's decision, Apple immediately complied with the ruling, changing its App Store rules for U.S. developers and accepting app updates, like Spotify's, which referenced other means of making in-app purchases. However, Apple also said it strongly disagreed with the court's decision and noted it would appeal. That notice of appeal was filed by Apple on Monday, according to court documents, indicating that Apple's threat to fight the ruling stands firm. Apple believed it had followed the letter of the law by allowing app developers to request an entitlement (an exception to its App Store rules), while also requiring a 27% commission on purchases made outside its App Store. It also required the use of 'scare screens,' or full-screen pop-up messages warning consumers of the dangers of making in-app purchases from the app developer's own website. As the appeals process plays out, Apple will continue to comply with the court's decision. Techcrunch event Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI Secure your spot at TC Sessions: AI and show 1,200+ decision-makers what you've built — without the big spend. Available through May 9 or while tables last. Berkeley, CA | BOOK NOW However, if Apple knows this battle is lost, it may come up with another way to entice developers to continue to use its own in-app purchases mechanism. For example, Apple could announce a discounted commission at its upcoming Worldwide Developer Conference in June for all developers, instead of only those in its Small Business Program.
